A SharePoint intranet is an example of a tool that allows flexible working opportunities, and if you’re willing to expand your team or even, move to a remote working strategy, you need to consider that this is the virtual space to make collaboration happen in an easy and efficient way.
Nowadays, a larger generation of employees is looking for roles that offer them a better work-life balance and flexibility. Likewise, if you believe there are talented individuals who are located elsewhere and could be the perfect candidate for your company, this can be made possible through an intranet web portal.
Technology enables the possibility of breaking down all distance or time zone barriers, so by implementing an effective intranet web portal, your company will appear much more appealing to candidates for job positions and will also offer the chance to work without having to move away from their area and incur the usually prohibitive costs of city living.
Remote work statistics from Owl Labs and Global Workplace Analytics reports that 18% of people work remotely full-time, and more than 4.3 million people in the USA work remotely, which is 3.2% of the entire workforce.
So, remote working is an attractive idea for most employees because they no longer need to go into an office to deliver daily tasks or even. While working at home, employees will be plugged into a computer—coding, blogging, responding to emails, or providing feedback.
With this being said, the reality is that an intranet web portal comes into the scene as the perfect place where advanced and streamlined communication between multidisciplinary teams will happen, allowing effortless collaboration from remote locations with integrated tools (Office 365, SharePoint, etc), to get work done and stay connected with important business conversations.
As you will not be able to monitor your employees on a face-to-face daily basis, it can be difficult to keep on top of their workload and see if they are completing tasks in the correct manner. Without an integrated tool like a SharePoint Intranet, it will be hard to keep on top of your workforce’s contributions and hours worked.
The likelihood is that those working remotely will need access to files and documents to complete set tasks. Files can be uploaded onto an intranet web portal for all users to access, which makes the whole process much easier. By using an integrated tool like a SharePoint Intranet, files will not become lost when sent through emails, especially when they need to be used on a regular basis to complete a task.
A SharePoint Intranet allows better communication between employees and managers. Due to the fact that most people now own a technological device such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone, communication has never been easier and efficient.
Although communication can be achieved through emails or video calls, it isn’t ideal for remote workers to manage business matters in this manner. The reason is that a remote worker won’t have the same access to information as in-house employees.
An intranet web portal uses a number of tools to make communication as easy as possible between users. For example, news, events, and tasks can be uploaded to keep all employees updated.
As remote working depends on an initiative to get the job done, it can be difficult to understand tasks without some form of help and guidance.
In order for employees to produce the results you are looking for; clearly defined objectives need to be put in place. Due to the fact that there are few opportunities for face-to-face meetings during remote working, an intranet web portal should be one of the most crucial forms of investment to give your employees some back-up and meetings face-to-face.
Remote workers are usually left in the dark about how their efforts have paid off, which doesn’t allow for team spirit or motivation in any shape or form. Without other employees to communicate within physical form, a SharePoint Intranet also provides a virtual space that allows a sense of wider belonging and community.
Team meetings can be set up as well as activities and other bonding techniques to strike interpersonal communication to know one another on a personal level.
Remote work productivity stats from 2018 shows that people who work remotely at least once a month are actually 24% more likely to be both happy and productive.
In order to keep your workforce happy, it is essential to understand that all employees have different needs. By allowing employees to work from home, you are able to build better relationships with your staff by showing that you understand and trust them on both a professional but also a personal level, helping foster greater feelings of respect from employees in return.
Remember that a SharePoint Intranet is the perfect tool to make collaboration happen, an online meeting space that makes communication and discussions clear, and a virtual office to work anywhere, anytime.
If you would like an assessment on how does a SharePoint Intranet will help you prepare for the rise of the digital workplace, please contact us at hello@definityfirst.com